Prop 8 - Petition against the tax-exempt status of the Mormons

by Devilsnok 81 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  yknot

  I am a Christian.

  I think most would be appalled at first since they have been exemptions but much like income tax would accept it as part of life eventually.

  I think taxation would be perceived as persecution by many denominations...... I am also sure there are a host of tax havens that could be utilized during the grace period between approved legislation and enactment.

  Besides it could be good for conversion and revival......... a sign that Satan is paving the way for the arrival of the GT and Anti-Christ.
• 

  Junction-Guy

  Yes, I haven't really thought about the persecution angle, but it could draw in more members and even strengthen the churches.
• 

  Gopher

  Let me get this straight.

  The Mormons (and / or their members, cough, cough) funnelled millions of dollars into Proposition 8 which defines marriage as only between ONE man and ONE woman!!

  Oh the irony.

  I thought Mormons have been notorious for defining marriage as between ONE man and, oh, five or six women???

  For goodness sake, they even had to get their own state (Utah) to keep that practice going for a while.

  The Mormon religion is truly hypocritical and hateful. A century or so ago, the black race was 'cursed' in their definition, and blacks could not hold positions of authority in their religion. When this becamse socially unacceptable, their leader had a convenient 'vision from God' telling them they should change.

  This century, the target of Mormon bigotry is homosexuals.

  It is disturbing that California is starting a trend of states using their Constitution to TAKE RIGHTS AWAY. America has always been more progressive, extending rights to minorities and oppressed groups. And make no bones about it, gays have been very oppressed as long as any of us can remember. It's always been hard for them to be open, and they're constantly ridiculed and discriminated against.

  And now, in a truly un-American "vote" in California, we have the majority voting to take away the rights of a minority. One thing government should do in America is stand up for the rights of minorities.

  I really hope this hateful trend by religions against minorities will come to a stop, and soon.
• 

  Junction-Guy

  Think about it this way, the governement infringed upon the right of Mormons to live their lifestyle. What about the many Mormon fringe groups that practice polygamy still, can you imagine what they are thinking--"Well if we can't practice polygamy, why should they be allowed to marry?"
  
  What if the propostion 8 ballot included the right to polygamy in addition to gay marriage, I am sure that at least some Mormon vote would have went the other way.
  
  I wonder how many Mormons are opposed to polygamy? The church doesnt officially recognize it anymore, but had the government still allowed it, they probably would still be doing it.
• 

  Zico

  Big Tex,
  
  In the UK most Christians don't really care what Gays do in their privacy of their bedrooms, and if you ever read Christian Message Boards you'll notice a difference between European members and US members on social issues. I think it's just one of those wedge issues your country's republican party has used to keep people voting for them. The Republican parties ideals are so bad and so strongly supportive of the rich, the oil companies, and the neocons, that if they ever became socially liberal, they would barely register a vote outside of the rich.
• 

  Deputy Dog

  J-G

  If the church was doing it's job of taking care of the poor and the needy we would not need the socialist government programs. With all this talk about buy outs on Wallstreet. I think the government bought out the church when they gave them tax-exempt status.

  I think paying taxes would be good for church and state.
• 

  Gopher

  Think about it this way, the governement infringed upon the right of Mormons to live their lifestyle.

  Even though polygamy was accepted by "God's people" in Old Testament times (for reasons now explained away by Biblical apologists), and it's still widely practiced in many African cultures, in Western culture we do infringe on polygamists -- not because of religious reasons, but because our culture rejects the unfairness inherent in polygamy.

  Whether or not you think our culture is right in doing so, it does not give a church (one which may feel it has been wronged) the right to force ITS view of morality on others by applying political pressure to take away marriage rights from a minority it despises.
• 

  beksbks

  Zico, I believe you have hit the proverbial nail on the head.

  I think it's just one of those wedge issues your country's republican party has used to keep people voting for them. The Republican parties ideals are so bad and so strongly supportive of the rich, the oil companies, and the neocons, that if they ever became socially liberal, they would barely register a vote outside of the rich.
• 

  beksbks

  JG, if you look at those polygamist groups, almost without exception, underage women are involved. There is cult brainwashing at work here, just as in the JW's.
• 

  Deputy Dog

  Zico

  In the UK most Christians don't really care what Gays do in their privacy of their bedrooms, and if you ever read Christian Message Boards you'll notice a difference between European members and US members on social issues.

  We don't really care what's happenning in the bedroom either. It's what's happenning in public that we have a problem with.

  I think it's just one of those wedge issues your country's republican party has used to keep people voting for them. The Republican parties ideals are so bad and so strongly supportive of the rich, the oil companies, and the neocons, that if they ever became socially liberal, they would barely register a vote outside of the rich.

  You really don't have a clue. What's wrong with being rich? We would like to see everyone have a chance to "be rich".